Cubans have shown the strength of their fists in scary knockouts on their return to professional boxing

Six victories in six performances, five of them by category, the remaining balance of Cuban boxing’s re -entry into professional concert after six decades of hiatus. Caribbean boxers shone on the night that took place in Aguascalientes (Mexico) and They warned that their intention was to seek world titles shortlywhere it will be necessary to raise the level of the opponents with whom they measure forces in this path.

The main doubt is in the capacity of tamers (name by which the Cuban team is known) to adapt its own style of amateur boxing to the needs of professionalism. The strongest answer was offered by medium heavyweight Arlen Lópeztwo -time Olympic champion in Rio de Janeiro 2016 and Tokyo 2020, who graduated a thrilling knockout in the first attack against local Fernando Galván, who came to this challenge with a record of 7 wins and 4 losses.

With just over 30 seconds left in the first inning, the Mexican tried to attack with a right uppercut, but López backed away and sent a left hook that fell to Galván, who was left lying on the mat for several minutes.

“I didn’t go out to look for a power blow, but to do my boxing, but the blow came. The plan worked out perfectly. “featured after his successful debut Guantanamo, which announced his willingness to step down to the super middleweight division, where Saúl Canelo Álvarez currently reigns as the champion recognized by the four major organizations governing world boxing.

The ring set in Palenque of the San Marcos National Fair went hot after López’s knockout. And it’s hot whoever steps on it later: Julius Caesar the Cross. The man-insignia of tamerstwo -time Olympic champion and five -time amateur world champion, his work also ended quickly, because He knocked out Colombian Deivis Casseres in the second round.

The experienced Barranquilla player (he has a record of 27 wins and 15 losses) hasn’t done much against La Cruz’s technique. He fell in the first round as a result of the right hand on the body, received severe punishment and in the second he revisited the mat after a not very strong hook on the right temple. This time, the referee did not even start the account and declared the Cuban victory.

“This is a great debut not only for me, but for all Cuban boxers who enjoyed showing ourselves here. It will be marked in the history of Cuban and world boxing”, highlighted the 32-year-old from Camaguey, who said he ready to face a professional world championship soon.

Anyway, the captain of tamers he clarified that his priority was to represent his country. When asked about the chance to move up to the heavyweight division (where economic rewards are higher), he explained that he would not do so because his team needed him in the division up to 92 kilos to participate in the Central American Games in San Salvador, the Pan American Games in Santiago de Chile, the Tashkent World Cup (all next year) and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Before the successes of Lopez and La Cruz, the other two -time Olympic champion to appear in Aguascalientes, super welterweight Roniel Iglesias, delivered another frightening knockout. Once the second round began, Pinar del Rio landed a left head stab in the liver side of Mexican Brandon Pérez (he has a record of 7 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw), who could no longer recover. the vertical.

On the opening night, the two youngest fighters of the Cuban delegation also ousted the Mexican opponents. Yoenlis Feliciano Hernandez, division champion up to 75 kilos at the 2021 Belgrade World Cup, defeated Juan Carlos Reynosa in the third chapter in a match structured in the medium heavyweight category. and the extra feathers osvel knight, Pan American champion in Lima 2019, defeated Jhosman Reyes in the fourth episode. “This presentation was a wonderful experience because of what it means to me and to the people of Cuba,” said Caballero, who goes down in history as the first boxer to represent his country in a professional against more than 60 years.

The only one to complete six rounds of work was super lightweight Lázaro Álvarez. The native of Pinar del Río, bronze medalist in London 2012, Rio de Janeiro 2016 and Tokyo 2020, showed very good mobility in the ring and very well made punches (especially his left hand straight), but he lacked continuity to finish before time. along with the brave Mexican Francisco Mercado, The visitor won all three jury cards (two scored 58-56 and one 59-55).

This night was the first to take place after the signing in April of an agreement between the Cuban Boxing Federation (FCB) and promoter Golden Ring so that the island’s top boxers can compete with professional peers. The plan expects that this year, at least three other events will be held on Mexican soil, though it is not excluded that there will be other venues, including Havana.

Ang tamers They had already landed in Aguascalientes (427 northwest of Mexico City) in June last year, as part of their preparations for the Tokyo Olympics. On that occasion, eight representatives made six rounds of exhibition matches against professional rivals. During that visit, negotiations began that led to the reaching of an agreement that this Friday allowed for re-entry into the leased field of Cuban boxing.